In This Article
Dust mites are almost everywhere. Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites can be found wherever there’s dust. They don’t bite, they don’t spread diseases, but they can alleviate dust allergy symptoms and cause asthma.
If you see tiny white bugs moving around your house, your home might have a case of dust mites, white mites or mould mites. No matter the type of mites that’s invading your home and causing an infestation, getting rid of them permanently is possible.
Read on to know how to identify dust mites, find common areas of infestation, treat dust allergy and destroy dust mites permanently.
What Are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are tiny pests that feed on dead human skin cells and thrive in humid environments. Often microscopic, dust mites are mostly likely found in hot and damp areas that don’t receive a lot of sunlight.
How to Identify Dust Mites?
If there are tiny white mites running around everywhere, you might be dealing with dust mites. These spider-like creatures often look like dust and can have a white or brown colour. Moreover, they shed their skin and leave behind a white linen-like thread.
Where Do Dust Mites Flourish?
Also called as bed mites, dust mites flourish in areas that see a lot of footfalls – bedding, furniture, carpets and rugs. You’ll also find them in places that trap dust easily, like curtains, stuffed toys, or corners that don’t see the sunlight.
Don’t confuse them with mould mites, that are blackish in colour and eat mould. Also, grain mites eat grains and can generally be found in kitchens.
How to Identify Dust Mites Bites?
If you think you’ve dust mites in bed that bite you and feed on your blood, they’re not dust mites—they are bed bugs. Contrary to popular opinion, dust mites bites are impossible, as dust mites don’t bite. However, you might get a case of dust mite allergy, as they induce allergies and cause skin rashes.
How to Identify Dust Mite Allergy?
Just because dust mites bites aren’t real doesn’t mean the same is true for dust mite allergy. If you’ve dust allergy symptoms, you must do a dust allergy treatment at home and clear out the house dust mite infestation.
Look out for these dust allergy symptoms:
- Itchy skin
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Post nasal drip
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Cough and fever
- Difficulty sleeping (that’s because they’re most likely found on beds; hence they are also called bed mites)
How to Treat Dust Mite Allergy?
While you can get in touch with a dermatologist or allergy specialist to help you with dust allergy symptoms, dust mite allergy permanent cure involves destroying the dust mites.
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites Permanently: 10+ Ways
Getting rid of dust mites is difficult, but not impossible. Follow these 10+ proven ways to get rid of house dust mites from your indoors:
1. Dust and Steam Frequently
One sure-fire way to get rid of dust mites and keep them from coming back is to clean frequently. Vacuuming works the best. However, as long as you’re dusting high footfall areas regularly, you’re good.
Steam clean bed linens, curtains and clothes weekly.
2. Vacuum Bedding Everyday
While a lazy day or two isn’t too bad, you might run the risk of finding dust mites on your bed if you don’t clean it properly. They are the best areas for dust mites to multiply.
So, to destroy dust mites in bed, change bed linens for dust mite control. All bed linens that can be washed should be washed once a week, in hot water. Plus, you should air out items or put them in direct sunlight to kill dust mites (nothing kills dust mites like sunlight or heat).
3. Cut Down on Carpeting and Soft Furnishings
For warm and humid areas, using carpets or rugs is a bad idea. If you’ve floor to floor carpeting, there’s a high risk of house dust mites. If you love to throw in a warm cosy rug and can’t do without, remember to steam clean them frequently.
4. Eliminate Clutter, Go Modular
To tackle dust allergy and kill dust mites, you must reduce clutter. We love displaying our things – but the more things that are outside, the more they need cleaning.
Keep them in covered cabinets or dust-proof displays to make your dusting (and your life) a lot easier. The best way to eliminate clutter in modern Indian is to go all modular. That way, you’ve enough dust-proof storage space, and beautiful interiors that make you the talk of the town.
5. Use Desiccants to Kill Dust Mites
New word? Desiccants are moisture-absorbers. Silica gel? That small white pouch you find in the box whenever you buy a new gadget or a piece of jewellery is a desiccant. It’s meant to absorb moisture and prevent dampness.
Looking to kill and destroy dust mites? Use moisture absorbers to keep a check on the humidity indoors.
6. Try an Air Purifier
Air purifiers do more than clearing out bad odours. They also capture dust and don’t let it accumulate in your home. To fight dust allergy, use an air purifier to prevent dust mites from coming back.
7. Buy Allergen-Proof Covers for Mattresses & Pillows
Sometimes, washing your bed linens, cleaning your mattress and steam cleaning your pillows might not be enough. That’s when you should starve the dust mites by putting allergen-proof coverings on mattresses and pillows.
8. Wipe Down Surfaces and Air Out Linens
For dust mite control, you might want to hang linens, drapes and clothes in direct sunlight, whenever possible. There’s no better way to naturally kill dust mites than putting them in sunlight.
Plus, wiping down surfaces regularly helps fight dust allergy symptoms and control house dust mite infestation. Use vinegar (it’s a multipurpose staple in Indian homes). Or, invest in a good antibacterial and antifungal cleaning liquid.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Small Insects in the Kitchen
9. Lower Your Room Temperature
As dust mites thrive in warm and humid areas, lowering your room temperature is good for dust mite control. You can also lower the humidity indoors. While planning your home interiors or renovating them, seal gaps, fix leaking windows and patchy ductwork that increase the chances of dust.
10. Kill Dust Mites With DE
If you’ve tried everything on the list and not found victory, nuke them. Use diatomaceous earth (DE) for effective dust mite control. Also called as the Eco Magic Dust, this powder kills dust mites almost instantly. Sprinkle this dust made from silica rock onto surfaces and leave it for half a day. Vacuum and clean it up before climbing back into the bed. It’s 100% safe and yet effective for dust mite control.
Don’t Confuse Bed Mites With Bed Bugs
Also found in beds predominantly, bed bugs are nothing like dust mites. They are bigger—they feed on your blood and leave bite marks. In fact, you can also see them with naked eyes. Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs.
With this article, you’re sure to fight bed mites and dust mites in a way that they never run. Controlling mosquitoes in Indian homes is another challenge, but take a look at the 10 natural trips and tricks that can help.
How Can Livspace Help You?
Another way to prevent dust mites is by opting for interior design that leaves no patchy ductwork, leaking windows or damp areas. Book an online consultation with Livspace today for strategically designed, beautiful interiors. If you have any thoughts and suggestions you’d like to share with us, drop us a line at editor@livspace.com.
